Peer-Reviewed Journals, Policy Monographs & Technical Briefs

CIHP Newsletter Vol. 6 No 28

September 2026 Edition (Vol. 6 | No. 28) — Pioneering Histoplasmosis Research with NASCP, honors & breakthrough research at NISA 2026, and scaling global HIV impact at IAS 2026.

Using Small Tests of Change to Improve PMTCT Services in Northern Nigeria: Experiences From Implementation of a Continuous Quality Improvement and Breakthrough Series Program

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is a process
where health teams systematically collect and regularly
reflect on local data to inform decisions and modify local
practices and so improve delivery of services. We implemented
a cluster randomized trial to examine the effects of CQI
interventions on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission
(PMTCT) services. Here, we report our experiences and challenges
establishing CQI in 2 high HIV prevalence states in
northern Nigeria.

The Effect of a Continuous Quality Improvement Intervention on Retention-In-Care at 6 Months Postpartum in a PMTCT Program in Northern Nigeria: Results of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Study

Retention in care is critical for improving HIVinfected
maternal outcomes and reducing vertical transmission. Health
systems’ interventions such as continuous quality improvement (CQI)
may support health services to address factors that affect the delivery
of HIV-related care and thereby influence rates of retention-in-care.

Retention-in-care in the PMTCT cascade: definitions matter! Analyses from the INSPIRE projects in Malawi, Nigeria and Zimbabwe

Definitions of retention-in-care in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) vary substantially
between studies and programmes. Some definitions are based on visits missed/made, others on a minimum total number
of visits, or attendance at a final clinic visit at a specific time. An agreed definition could contribute to developing evidencebased
interventions for improving retention-in-care. In this paper, we estimated retention-in-care rates according to different
definitions, and we quantified and visualized the degree of agreement between definitions.

Increasing Retention in Care of HIV-Positive Women in PMTCT Services Through Continuous Quality Improvement–Breakthrough (CQI-BTS) Series in Primary and Secondary Health Care Facilities in Nigeria: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. The Lafiyan Jikin Mata Study

Rates of retention in care of HIV-positive pregnant
women in care programs in Nigeria remain generally poor with rates
around 40% reported for specific programs. Poor quality of services
in health facilities and long waiting times are among the critical
factors militating against retention of these women in care. The aim
of the interventions in this study is to assess whether a continuous
quality improvement intervention using a Breakthrough Series
approach in local district hospitals and primary health care clinics
will lead to improved retention of HIV-positive women and mothers.

Improving HIV Testing Coverage and Linkage to Antiretroviral Therapy Through a Community-Based PMTCT Intervention in Traditional Birth Attendants’ Managed Care Centers in Lagos State

Mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV remains a significant public health problem globally and in Nigeria. MTCT (also known as vertical transmission) refers to the passage of HIV infection from the mother to the child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding [1]. Globally in 2020, there were 37.7 million people living with HIV (PLHIV), with 680,000 AIDS-related deaths and 1.5 million new infections. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about 67% of the global burden of HIV with 25.4 million PLHIVs.

Against all Odds

Children still die from vaccine-preventable diseases. Nigeria contributes 30% of unimmunized children <5 years globally. This study was
conducted in 4 Local Government Areas (LGA) in Niger and Gombe States employing the positive deviance (PD) approach to increase vaccination
demand in low child immunization coverage settings.

LEOPOD SUCCESS STORIES

The Reachout Project

Against All Odds

The Positive Deviance Journey to improve childhood vaccination in Northern Nigeria